Re: Bullet Hole in Airplane
- From: "445super" <eirinn@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 00:36:19 +0000 (UTC)
We've gone well beyond our bullet hole problem and answer -- it doesn't
cause catastrophic decompression, and it only affects keeping the aircraft
aloft if it hits something critical -- like the pilot. Most other elements
of modern aircraft have backup systems.
Skipping merrily along . . .
Once a crack begins to become a tear, the positive pressure inside the cabin
and the partial vacuum (yep!) in the airstream work together to push the
tear OUT.
If this occurs on the top half of most airliners, where the windows are,
there is little immediate loss of control in most modern designs. But there
are wings, a tail, and often jet engines directly behind the damage. Loose
pieces (if there are any) make a quick mess of things. More likely, a lot
of air rushes out and all or most of the pieces remain attached.
Right angles are a big no-no in aircraft design, as mentioned earlier.
Preventing high stress points in the aircraft skin minimizes the prospect of
the stress radiating out in lines across that skin. And the proper way to
install a rivet is to first drill the holes, then dimple them -- forming a
slight, uniform concave lip on each hole -- then insert the rivet (with a
little sealer for high altitude aircraft).
The dimple helps to spread stress (rivet to edge of hole) slightly, and
hundreds or thousands of them on the skin of an aircraft reduce drag VERY
significantly -- but dimpling all day is a very boring, if exacting, job.
I've done it.
Windows don't "pop" out of modern airliners for two reasons. The higher
pressure inside the cabin pushes the very strong inner window INTO its
frame, and there is a hole in the outer window (bottom, center) that
equalizes the pressure BETWEEN the windows with the pressure outside the
aircraft.
"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ft009u$5bp$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
...Airlines
...
-----------------------------------------------------------
Learn about rec.guns at http://www.recguns.net
Win a Fulton Armory "Classic" AR-15 with Black Hills Ammo
while supporting our RKBA. Details at http://www.myguns.net
-----------------------------------------------------------
.
- References:
- Re: Bullet Hole in Airplane
- From: jadel
- Re: Bullet Hole in Airplane
- From: Jim Yanik
- Re: Bullet Hole in Airplane
- Prev by Date: Re: Most Pro-gun county in America?
- Next by Date: Re: Mossberg 464
- Previous by thread: Re: Bullet Hole in Airplane
- Next by thread: Re: Bullet Hole in Airplane
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
